The Ugandan sports fraternity is reeling from shock after a devastating accident on Tuesday claimed the lives of five students from Iki-Iki Senior Secondary School.
The tragedy unfolded along the Mbale–Tirinyi Highway at Jami in Kamonkoli Town Council, Budaka District, as the students traveled to participate in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) football games.
Eyewitnesses reported that the truck carrying the team, registration number UAP 443Z, lost control and overturned. Five young athletes died instantly, while several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
Police have since arrested the driver, who faces charges of reckless driving, overloading, and operating a vehicle in poor mechanical condition.
Iki-Iki SS had shown promise in Group D of the competition, having secured a 1-0 victory over Grace Comprehensive School before narrowly losing to Bugwere High School. The team was scheduled to face Iki-Iki High School and Ngoma Standard School later that day.
The heartbreaking loss comes just days after another football tragedy involving Red Devo FC, where eight people, including the club’s CEO, perished following their exit from the Uganda Cup.
